Extension officers to support farmers with data tools

Veronica Bosibori-KNA

Nakuru County farmers will have increased productivity as they have adopted a data-driven approach to modernizing agricultural practices.

The launch of Agrivuma technology bridges the gap between traditional farming methods and cutting-edge technology.

This technology developed by Enigma Four Limited, holds potential for building climate resilience in the face of increasing environmental challenges.

Executive Officer for Agriculture Leonard Bor said the Agrivuma operates through a sophisticated data pipeline and data collection terminals, empowering extension officers to capture real-time farm and farmer data.

This information is then consolidated into a unified digital ecosystem and transformed into actionable recommendations, complemented by supporting services designed to optimize farmer productivity.

Additionally, Bor said the vital aspect of the initiative involves comprehensive training for extension officers across selected wards within Nakuru County.

The officers will be equipped with Agrivuma's suite of digital tools, enabling them to deliver data-backed insights and personalized support to farmers.

"Nakuru County is the first to adopt this technology, which will go a long way to bridge the gap between technology and traditional farming," the County Executive stated during the platform's launch.

"This ensures that the benefits of modern agricultural innovations are accessible to all farmers, regardless of their scale of operation," he said.

He noted that through collection of precise data on soil moisture, weather patterns, and crop health, Agrivuma enables farmers to optimize resource use.

This leads to reduced water consumption, minimized fertilizer runoff, and lower greenhouse gas emissions associated with inefficient farming practices.

He also said the data-driven insights provided by Agrivuma can help farmers adopt climate-smart practices, such as drought-resistant crop varieties, improved soil management techniques, and efficient irrigation systems.

Bor noted that the platform can facilitate the development of early warning systems for extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, allowing farmers to take proactive measures to protect their crops and livestock.

He observed that by collecting and analyzing data on livestock and fisheries, Agrivuma can help optimize resource management in these sectors, reducing their environmental footprint.

The data collected by the system could be used by researchers to monitor and track climate change impacts on local farms, and to develop better adaptation strategies.

The launch event was attended by Chief Officers Newton Mwaura (Agriculture), Dr. Michael Cheruiyot (Livestock, Fisheries and Veterinary Services), Subukia Ward MCA Isabella Makori, Brian Oyugi, CEO Enigma Four Limited, Extension Officers, and other County and Enigma Four officials.